Hybrid SPECT Perfusion Imaging and Coronary CT Angiography: Long-term Prognostic Value for Cardiovascular Outcomes

Radiology. 2018 Sep;288(3):694-702. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2018171303. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Abstract

Purpose To determine the value of cardiac hybrid imaging, performed by combining SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with coronary CT angiography, as a long-term predictor for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (death, myocardial infarction [MI], unstable angina requiring hospitalization, coronary revascularization). Materials and Methods For this retrospective single-center study, 428 patients referred between May 2005 and December 2008 were classified according to hybrid imaging findings into the following groups: (a) those with stenosis of 50% or greater (at coronary CT angiography) with ischemia (at SPECT) in subtended territory (matched), (b) those with coronary CT angiography and/or SPECT findings in unrelated territories (unmatched), and (c) those with normal findings at coronary CT angiography and SPECT. End points were all-cause death or MI ("hard events") and a composite of MACEs. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to identify survival free of MACEs, and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors for MACE. Results During a median follow-up of 6.8 years, a total of 160 MACEs, including 45 deaths, were observed in the final study population (mean age, 62 years ± 11 [standard deviation]; 132 women). The annual hard event rate was more than fivefold higher for patients with matched findings (n = 46 [7.0%]) and was threefold higher for patients with unmatched findings (n = 113 [3.7%]) compared with that for patients with normal findings (1.2%; n = 216 [1.2%]; P < .001). The MACE rates were 21.8%, 9.0%, and 2.4% for matched, unmatched, and normal findings, respectively. A matched finding was an independent predictor for MACE and hard events. Conclusion In patients evaluated for coronary artery disease, cardiac hybrid imaging is an excellent long-term predictor of adverse cardiac events. A matched hybrid finding is associated with a high annual cardiac event rate. © RSNA, 2018.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Computed Tomography Angiography / methods*
  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods
  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
  • Patient Outcome Assessment*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*